An engagement & a basket

Recently my best friend got engaged and  I was lucky enough that her now-fiance invited us to come and be a part of it. I was the hidden photographer and some how I held it together. While I was shooting though I realized I love taking pictures and am considering pursuing it as a hobby. My mom was a photographer, so I grew up in the business and am used to everything. Unfortunately I missed out on all of her equipment when she closed shop a few years ago. Guess I know what I will be asking for for gifts for the next year or so!

Since I am in an engagement mood I figured it would be a good time to tell the story of our engagement. Ever since Nate and I realized that we both wanted to spend the rest of our lives together we had a little joke about my engagement ring. As poor college students who mutually hated debt, I knew that he wasn't going to get a diamond from him any time soon - or so I thought - so I always said that I would say yes even if he proposed with a sparkly spider ring. By my senior year, he had graduated and started working as an Athletic Trainer, and we were coming up on our three year anniversary. We wouldn't be able to celebrate on our actual anniversary due to his work schedule so we celebrated a month early and went out to dinner. As we were getting our dessert, he asked if I was ready to exchange cards and I of course said yes not knowing that anything was going on. As I opened mine I noticed something fall out - a spider ring covered in rhinestones - and he opened the blinds of the window next to us to reveal both of our families standing outside. I lost it, I am a very emotional person and I really just lost it and started crying my eyes out realizing what was going on. I couldn't tell you what he said as he was proposing, thankfully I have the card which basically said everything he said then. Of course I said yes and that was the beginning of our lovely little life together. 

Funny enough,  the secret photographer for our engagement was my friend I took pictures for also. She was a crying mess at my engagement too so our pictures were a little blurry but they perfectly capture the moment.

Don't mind the guy in the corner.

Blurry

The ring was/is absolutely perfect.

Anyway, below are a few pictures of us and the happy couple as well as a few detail shots from the day. I also listed out what I included in a gift basket that I made for her.

The engagement basket I made was kind of last minute but I really enjoyed making it and I think it would be something I would love to make again sometime and see what else I could do to get even more creative and fun with it. For this basket I included:

• a wedding magazine
• his and hers champagne glasses
• Hershey kisses
• thank you cards
• a note pad
• the new initial for her soon-to-be last name
• a frame for a picture of the moment
• a bottle of champs (not pictured)

What else would you put in a engagement gift basket?

xo,
KatiAnne

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Weekend Wrap-Up

This past week has been a surreal time - my best friend got engaged - but let's start with last weekend.

My dad and brother came up to visit this past weekend and we all took advantage of all that our lovely town has to offer and went to a baseball game. The Tin Caps are the feeder team for the Padres and they are a really fun team to watch. The stadium is spectacular and the atmosphere is exactly what you want to experience at a minor league game. I love it, everything about it. We were lucky enough to hang out in the 400 Club with some of our friends at this game. This meant food and drinks while sitting in the air conditioning. I felt bad for my dad and brother who were outside on the lawn, but then I realized my brother was still having a blast and could care less where he sat. After the game we watched the fireworks and headed home. Living so far away from my family is hard at times, but I am lucky that they love to visit - especially now that I have my puppy!

The whole week kind of drug on. I am one of the only one's in my "department" at work that wasn't traveling all week and so it was really quiet. A Starbucks run felt necessary (there is no shame in it) and I drank a lot of coffee to keep myself focused. I have noticed a great hike in my coffee in-take lately - not mad about it either. Not only did the quietness of the office make the week drag, but the anticipation of all that was to happen this weekend made it seem like the week lasted forever. My best friend got engaged on Saturday and her fiance was kind enough to include my husband and I. It was the sweetest thing ever and I captured some great moments.

I am making an effort to really start capturing the moments in our lives with our friends and family and I am hoping these weekly reviews of sorts will help me document everything. I want to have pictures of our lives together and pictures are meant to be shared.

xo,
KatiAnne

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Life Lately

Well two weeks ago our life changed and we have been getting less sleep ever since. No I did not secretly have a baby... we got a puppy! Meet Remington, the newest member of the Blair family.

Isn't he just the cutest!

Remington is a full-blood Golden Retriever. His dad was really red toned and his mom looked like a classic golden so he is going to be a very pretty dog. Because we were looking for a hunting dog, we got ours from a breeder instead of adopting one from a shelter. Of course we are big believers in helping out these puppies that need to find forever homes, but in this situation we really wanted to know the history of our dog's parents to get the best dog we could. So far it has really paid off. Remi has pretty much potty trained himself and is really well behaved. He also loves to swim, which is a great start to his hunting training. The only issue we have really is he really HATES his kennel at night. We have tried everything. So far, playing the radio all night helps a bit, but he is still really whiny. Any suggestions on how to get my pup to sleep through the night would be greatly appreciated.

My love and I at my sister's graduation party.

We also celebrated my sister's graduation when we went home to get our puppy baby. I cannot believe that I have two siblings in college now and the youngest is in high school. I don't feel like my own graduation was that long ago, but we are coming up on my five year reunion so I need to start believing it.

The next month will be jam packed with mini-trips and visitors, all leading up to the hubby going back to school to get his Master's in Athletic Training. I couldn't be more proud of him, especially since through all of that he is also planning on taking the test to become a certified strength and conditioning coach. I am so happy that he has found a career that he can be passionate about and really enjoy. He is such a helpful person and loves making a difference/impact on a person's life. I love him so much (okay, gushy moment over).

Here is to all of the life changes that have happened and all of those left to come. I can't see what else God has in store for our lives!

xo,
KatiAnne

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Had to take advantage of a good hair/makeup day. #selfie

Remi's first swim!

So easily tired out..

I am in love with this puppy, he is perfect for us!

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